Ciutadella Holidays

Ciutadella Holidays – A picturesque historic old town

Ciutadella is a beautiful historic town located on the west coast of Menorca. It has a history dating back to the Roman times, and is the former capital of the island. Ciutadella is pronounced “thwi-te-della”. Nicknamed Vella I Bella, which translate as ‘The Old and the Beautiful’, the city certainly lives up to its moniker; the old quarter, with its 17th and 18th century buildings is simply stunning. Think winding cobbled streets, baroque and gothic architecture, pavement cafes and grand palaces. Placa des Born, the large square around which the old quarter is based, can rival any of the great squares in Europe.

There is a lovely little harbour here which is both a working fishing port and a leisure quayside, with a variety of tapas restaurants, tavernas and bars looking over the gently bobbing boats. The nightlife in Ciutadella is some of the best on Menorca, with dance clubs, rooftop bars and traditional Spanish tavernas. Although the town does not have a beach itself, there are two beaches around 3km away at Cala Santandria and Sa Caleta. This is a fantastic destination for couples or anybody interested in culture and fine dining.

When to go

One of the best times to visit Ciutadella is around the 23-24 June, when the city hosts the lively Fiesta de Sant Joan. Music, dancing, fireworks and plenty of Menorca’s gin-based drink, Pomada, make this a weekend to remember! Over 100 elegant black horses with riders parade through the streets, and occasionally rear back on their hind legs while the bravest revellers try and touch the horse’s heart.

Between June – August is peak season, when Ciutadella will be at its busiest and see the hottest weather. This is also the most expensive time to visit however. April-May and September-October are cooler and quieter, so if you prefer it less crowded, these are the times to book a holiday. Prices will be lower during these periods also.

Because this is not so much a beach destination as other resorts, you can still enjoy a winter break here. The weather can be quite chilly, and there is an increased chance of rain, but you’ll still be able to appreciate the museums, fine architecture and culture of the town.

The weather in Ciutadella

Ciutadella holidays benefits from the typically mild climate that characterises the Balearic Islands. Spring will see average maximum temperatures of 18-21C. The summer months of June-August average between 26-28C, before cooling off for the autumn months of September-October to between 22-26C. By early November, there is a higher chance of rainfall and buffeting winds from the north. Temperatures between November-March range between 14-18C on average.

Getting the best deal

The cheapest holidays to Ciutadella will be found in the winter months between November-March, as well as in spring and autumn. June-August is peak season and will be considerably more expensive, as will school holiday periods such as Easter and half-term dates.Booking well in advance will save you money, as the best priced rooms in popular accommodation tend to sell out quickly. See some of our fantastic deals on Ciutadella package holidays below, or take a look at out late offers here.

Airport and transport need to know

You can fly to Menorca from over 15 regional UK airports, including London Gatwick, Luton and Stansted, as well as Manchester, Bristol and Norwich amongst others.

All flights land at the island’s sole international airport, the Menorca Mahon (MAH). The airport is based in the south-east of the island, around 2.5 miles from the capital, Mahon. It is a relatively small hub with just one terminal that is set across two floors, with a small selection of shops and restaurants.

Ciutadella is over the other side of the island on the far west coast, so reaching the town from the airport by car takes approximately an hour. You can catch a taxi there from outside the Arrivals hall at the airport. Taxis can take up to 4 adults and operate on a fixed price basis. They do not have child seats fitted; if you require a child seat, you must ring up and request one in advance. You should expect to pay around €50 for a taxi for 4 people plus luggage to Ciutadella.

There is also the opportunity to take a public bus to the resort. Catch the Airport-Mahon bus to the central bus depot in Mahon. From here you can catch a Nr.1 or Nr.14 bus to Ciutadella. This option is far cheaper than a taxi, but also takes a lot longer. You can download a PDF of the bus timetable from Mahon here.  

A number of coach companies run shuttle buses to the resort; these are quicker than a public bus and cheaper than a taxi. You can expect to pay around €25 for a single fare to Ciutadella from shuttle bus companies such as Menorca Airport Transfers.

The best beaches in Ciutadella

Ciutadella itself is located slightly inland, and so does not have its own beach. There are, however, a number of beaches in the area that are easily accessible by bus from Ciutadella, as this resort is the main transport hub on the west coast. From Ciutadella you can reach all the major western beaches including Cala’n Blanes, Cala’n Forcat, Cala Blanca and Cala’n Bosch. There are also some attractive smaller beaches in the immediate vicinity that are within walking distance.

Playa Grande beach

The closest beach to Ciutadella town is the small but attractive Playa Grande, also known as the Cala des Degollador. This pleasant white sandy beach is located between Port de Ciutadella and Punta des Gegant, close to Castell de Sant Nicolau. It is quite deep at around 500m, but fairly narrow. There is a promenade to the rear of the beach, and free parking nearby. Although the beach is in an urban area, it generally doesn’t get too crowded. You can get here by walking through the Plaza Europa in Ciutadella.

Cala Blanca beach

Cala Blanca beach is located around 3 miles from Ciutadella, in the resort of Cala Blanca between Cala Santandria and s'Aigo Dolça. It is a small half-moon bay, surrounded by a rocky outcrop and fragrant pines. This beach is one of the most popular in the area and can get quite crowded during the peak summer months. There are shops and cafes amidst the pine trees, and free car parking nearby. Snorkelling and diving are popular activities here.

Cala’n Blanes beach

Located around 2.5 miles from Ciutadella, Cala’n Blanes beach is one of three that are located fairly close together, the others being Cala’n Forcat beach and Cala Piques beach. Cala’n Blanes is probably the best of the three, as it is the largest and has the most facilities. Edged with palm and pine trees, there is a popular shaded picnic area at the back of the beach, as well as a number of beach cafes and a diving school. This beach attracts lots of families due to its warm, shallow water.